SIL International
Media Release

SIL Completes Work in Suriname

On March 23, 2001 SIL closed its doors in Suriname. For 34 years SIL
members conducted linguistic, translation and literacy activities in seven
of Suriname's 16 languages, including Saramaccan, Aukan, Carib, Arawak,
Sarnami Hindustani, Sranan Tongo and Suriname Javanese.

"At its peak the branch had about 55 members from the Netherlands,
Canada and the United States," according to Nico Doelman, branch
director.

Personnel, trained in basic linguistic analysis and translation techniques,
learned the language of the group with which they worked, then created
dictionaries, calendars, primers and other materials to use in teaching
people to read and write their own language. They also translated portions
of the Bible and agricultural and health bulletins. With the branch closing,
SIL turned these activities over to a national organization.

At the closing ceremonies, Mr. Walter Sandriman, Suriname's Minister
of Education, recognized SIL's contribution to the understanding and development
of the languages of his country. National translators who had helped in
the projects expressed their appreciation as well: "SIL helped us
and encouraged us to esteem our heritage highly. Thank you, SIL, for helping
us to rediscover, learn to appreciate and use our own mother tongue. You
are departing, but you are leaving behind something that is beautiful
and precious."

SIL's involvement in Suriname began in 1964 when Dr. Lou Lichtveld, a
delegate of the Suriname government, and Suriname linguist Dr. Hein Eerssel
met with SIL's Dr. Joseph Grimes to discuss the possibility of establishing
a contract with the government. This agreement was signed two years later,
resulting in more than three decades of cooperation between Suriname's
government and SIL.

By training Suriname nationals from the beginning in translation and
literacy, SIL laid the foundation to turn the work over to them.

In addition to overseeing the work in Suriname, the branch expanded to
include the Wapishana language (in the early '70s) and Akawaio (in the
mid-'90s), both in neighboring Guyana. Work continues in these two languages
under SIL's Americas Group, which assumed leadership in 1999 in anticipation
of closure of the branch. SIL translators also worked in St. Lucia's Patwa/Kweyol
language. Although most SIL members have already left the country, six
will stay behind to help complete the two remaining projects in Suriname
- Sranan Tongo and Carib.

During the branch's active years, it provided support services to its
members in a number of areas, including audio-visual, computers, publication
and finance. It also recruited teachers and staff for the American Cooperative
School owned and operated by a group of missions. This school provided
education for SIL members' children as well as others in the community.